I posted this on Instagram, and thought I should post it here too. The man was a true artist and defined the franchise in so many ways for me. And, I agree completely with Matt S, that his style was the most refined; I seek inspiration from it more than any other Bond:
They say you never forget what you were doing when an icon of your life passes. I was visiting my dad for the first time in months when I got a text from my sister saying that #rogermoore had died. I didn't know the man personally, but I heard he was a good guy. His work on #jamesbond is a huge reason the franchise is still alive today. My father and I came together over and watched more of his movies compared to any other #jamesbondmovies. With his art, he painted a picture of an aspiration of manliness and gentlemanliness that defined my fathers views and have in-turn deeply defined my own. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
They say you never forget what you were doing when an icon of your life passes.
I was walking back from work when I got a text from a friend about it. I was planning to trim down my overdue garden when I got back, but I was that shook up by the news that I didn't do it For me, this is the biggest celeb death of my life
As an seven year old in about 1983, in the days before First Class Lounges at airports, I was with my grandad in Nice Airport and saw Roger Moore sitting at the departure gate, reading a paper. I told my granddad I'd just seen James Bond and asked if we could go over so I could get his autograph. My grandad had no idea who James Bond or Roger Moore were, so we walked over and he popped me in front of Roger Moore, with the words "my grandson says you're famous. Can you sign this?"
As charming as you'd expect, Roger asks my name and duly signs the back of my plane ticket, a fulsome note full of best wishes. I'm ecstatic, but as we head back to our seats, I glance down at the signature. It's hard to decipher it but it definitely doesn't say 'James Bond'. My grandad looks at it, half figures out it says 'Roger Moore' - I have absolutely no idea who that is, and my hearts sinks. I tell my grandad he's signed it wrong, that he's put someone else's name - so my grandad heads back to Roger Moore, holding the ticket which he's only just signed.
I remember staying by our seats and my grandad saying "he says you've signed the wrong name. He says your name is James Bond." Roger Moore's face crinkled up with realisation and he beckoned me over. When I was by his knee, he leant over, looked from side to side, raised an eyebrow and in a hushed voice said to me, "I have to sign my name as 'Roger Moore' because otherwise...Blofeld might find out I was here." He asked me not to tell anyone that I'd just seen James Bond, and he thanked me for keeping his secret. I went back to our seats, my nerves absolutely jangling with delight. My grandad asked me if he'd signed 'James Bond.' No, I said. I'd got it wrong. I was working with James Bond now.
Many, many years later, I was working as a scriptwriter on a recording that involved UNICEF, and Roger Moore was doing a piece to camera as an ambassador. He was completely lovely and while the cameramen were setting up, I told him in passing the story of when I met him in Nice Airport. He was happy to hear it, and he had a chuckle and said "Well, I don't remember but I'm glad you got to meet James Bond." So that was lovely.
And then he did something so brilliant. After the filming, he walked past me in the corridor, heading out to his car - but as he got level, he paused, looked both ways, raised an eyebrow and in a hushed voice said, "Of course I remember our meeting in Nice. But I didn't say anything in there, because those cameramen - any one of them could be working for Blofeld."
I was as delighted at 30 as I had been at 7. What a man. What a tremendous man.
They say you never forget what you were doing when an icon of your life passes.
I was walking back from work when I got a text from a friend about it. I was planning to trim down my overdue garden when I got back, but I was that shook up by the news that I didn't do it For me, this is the biggest celeb death of my life
I was at work when the phone rang, my manager answered and handed the phone to me. My girlfriend, knowing how much Roger Moore meant to me called to break the news. The rest of the day I tried to keep my composure.
They say you never forget what you were doing when an icon of your life passes.
I was walking back from work when I got a text from a friend about it. I was planning to trim down my overdue garden when I got back, but I was that shook up by the news that I didn't do it For me, this is the biggest celeb death of my life
This is mine too, though John Barry's death shook me up a lot too. I think about their works every day.
I got the news when I checked me phone halfway through my walk to work and saw that I had a number of messages and emails from both friends and readers of my blog. They all said the same thing.
I was at work pulling a 14 hour shift on Tuesday and only discovered the sad news when I woke up on Wednesday morning.
I'm not usually at a loss for words, nor am I given to sentiment, but it is fair to say Sir Roger Moore's passing is a moment when, perhaps, time finally took one of its television and cinematic heroes.
As many on here have and will reveal, Sir Roger Moore meant very much to many people, millions of them in fact, as an actor, person, celebrity, charity ambassador and, for those who would and may read this forum, a family man.
I never met him or attended his stage shows, shame on me. I was never over impressed with his acting either- more shame, perhaps - which was never going to win awards. But I could never fault his enthusiasm, his ability to gauge a line of dialogue on its merit and deliver it with the appropriate mirth or seriousness it required. I've recently been watching repeats of The Persuaders on television. Sometimes he is quite remarkable playing the gentleman adventurer Brett Sinclair. Impersonating a peer of the realm, albeit a slightly raffish one, seemed to come very easily to Sir Roger and it is no surprise that he, more so than any other Bond actor, has done tireless work for UNICEF and other charities where his charm and diseffacement could open doors and minds which may previously have remained closed, exactly as his screen character does. It helped of course that he was and is phenomenally famous, but fame in itself does not make the man.
I first became aware of Roger Moore when I was taken with my brother to the Leicester Square Odeon cinema by my Mum to see Moonraker on an August afternoon in 1979. My only experiences of Bond had been Thunderball & On Her Majesty's Secret Service on Christmas or Easter television. To suddenly be confronted with a wise cracking, young looking, suave, sophisticated easy going hero was a revelation. When I began to read the original novels I, for many years, thought Roger Moore's interpretation of 007 was much more like Ian Fleming may have imagined him. Later learning that Fleming would have preferred Cary Grant or David Niven suggested I wasn't far wrong. I always preferred Connery, but Moore was my first cinema Bond - I never saw Connery on screen as 007 until 1983 - and for that I can be forever thankful.
Interestingly, I remember my first impression of Roger Moore's Bond was that he wasn't so playful. There's an awful lot of violence in Moonraker. Early on he's almost squashed to death by a G-Force machine and at the end of that hell-in-a-chair moment he looks suitable bedraggled. As Moore watches Chang vacate the control booth, you sense in his eyes that the game has just begun. I was always impressed with these small moments of insight which Sir Roger gave to his acting roles. You see them several times in the Bond saga. His performances are underrated; I'm a particular fan of his playing in The Man With The Golden Gun, which is not to everyone's taste, but for me identifies a significant shift between the old and the new style of Bond as 007 is as seriously nasty as he is cheerfully unflappable.
Of course career wise, Sir Roger wasn't just about Bond. I rather enjoyed The Persuaders. The Saint makes me chuckle too. Some of his early film roles are good and stretch his talent - e.g. The Wild Geese, Shout at the Devil, The Man Who Haunted Himself - even in his latter years he could still raise a quizzical eyebrow with the best - think, Boat Trip.
I feel as though I'm rambling and that I could write and write so I probably need to stop. In parting, perhaps I need to leave the final line to the great man himself, forever the gentleman, who titled his autobiography with a aptly given quote: "My word is my Bond."
R.I.P. Sir Roger Moore 1927 - 2017.
Christoph John aka chrisno1
[article also published on CBN]
Look at that scene in The Spy Who Loved Me, when he admits to killing Anya's lover. The detachment behind his irony is now the bedrock for a moment of direct honesty--no quips or raised eyebrows. Just the admission of responsibility and a statement of purpose.
Excellent write up. Few mainstream critics seem to appreciate or understand exactly how good Roger Moore was. Damn good.
Interestingly, I remember my first impression of Roger Moore's Bond was that he wasn't so playful. There's an awful lot of violence in Moonraker. Early on he's almost squashed to death by a G-Force machine and at the end of that hell-in-a-chair moment he looks suitable bedraggled. As Moore watches Chang vacate the control booth, you sense in his eyes that the game has just begun. I was always impressed with these small moments of insight which Sir Roger gave to his acting roles.
Another one of my all-time favorite scenes. Roger's nuanced performances provide infinite replay value for me as a Bond fan.
I'm getting teary eyed reading all these comments and tributes on here. Roger was my favorite Bond and personal hero. I'm glad I didn't find out the news while at work cuz I doubt I could have held it together.
Rest in Peace Sir Roger.
My current 10 favorite:
1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
chrisno1 - thank you for your words! Moonraker was the first Bond film I saw in the theatre as well. That scene where Holly goes to help him after he gets out of the centrifuge, and he pushes her hands away is incredible. Sir Roger had plenty of fantastic moments like that as Bond. As was referenced, his confession to Anya, kicking the car over the cliff in FYEO... I thought he could be quite cold and menacing when it was called for. I think because he was so adept at the comedic elements, those scenes that called for more seriousness really had an impact on me as a kid.
Though he was my least favorite Bond I no doubt loved the man himself because of his humor and kindness towards fans. It's sad to see that a Bond is finally no longer among us.
Had to make a rare return to the forum to pay my respects to the great Sir Roger Moore.
It was a huge shock to hear of his death. Indeed, I had watched him just 18 months ago, up close, in the stalls of the Theatre Royal, Bath, for 'An Afternoon With Sir Roger Moore' which was both funny and hugely interesting. His wife accompanied him and was sat up in one of the boxes, and I remember thinking at the time that he was in tremendous shape for his age.
Roger Moore was really my first Bond, and I grew up always with a huge soft spot for his portrayal. Many of his films rank among my favourites. But away from the screen, he was a great man too and undoubtedly a national treasure. I once wrote to him aged just 14, sending him a long letter talking about my aspiring to be an actor. He sent me back a signed photo of him in Moonraker, and a short note simply saying 'Good Luck! -- and best wishes'.
Had to make a rare return to the forum to pay my respects to the great Sir Roger Moore.
It was a huge shock to hear of his death. Indeed, I had watched him just 18 months ago, up close, in the stalls of the Theatre Royal, Bath, for 'An Afternoon With Sir Roger Moore' which was both funny and hugely interesting. His wife accompanied him and was sat up in one of the boxes, and I remember thinking at the time that he was in tremendous shape for his age.
Roger Moore was really my first Bond, and I grew up always with a huge soft spot for his portrayal. Many of his films rank among my favourites. But away from the screen, he was a great man too and undoubtedly a national treasure. I once wrote to him aged just 14, sending him a long letter talking about my aspiring to be an actor. He sent me back a signed photo of him in Moonraker, and a short note simply saying 'Good Luck! -- and best wishes'.
I've lost a childhood hero. RIP.
Further evidence of Roger being a class act. I haven't been around for very long but you do seem to return on a yearly basis.
See you next year.
I don't remember which Bond movie I watched first. But I do remember how different Roger Moore's Bond movies were. They were lighter, more humorous, exotic spy movies. I love them to this day. So much of my real life influence comes from Roger's Bond movies. I got a jacket because Roger Moore wore a similar jacket in For Your Eyes Only. I love the Lotus Espirit because that's what his Bond drove. I even got the Burglar Protected sticker for some of my cars because of that. As much as I like Egypt, another part of the reason I went there and other places is because his Bond went there. I would even practice that spin he did in a Ferrari during that 25 Years of Bond Special. I could go on as that was the scope of his influence. I think it's because his Bond made it look easy and casual. Get pushed out of a plane without a parachute? No problem. Walk into a bar in an unknown area? No problem just order a drink. Boat springs a leak and is out of gas? Jump into another boat.
Usually I don't want to meet my heroes or people who play them as I don't want to be disappointed. One of my favorite things is just having his signature on Jeff Marshall's The Spy Who Loved Me lithograph. But I love that story about Roger in the Nice Airport.
Comments
They say you never forget what you were doing when an icon of your life passes. I was visiting my dad for the first time in months when I got a text from my sister saying that #rogermoore had died. I didn't know the man personally, but I heard he was a good guy. His work on #jamesbond is a huge reason the franchise is still alive today. My father and I came together over and watched more of his movies compared to any other #jamesbondmovies. With his art, he painted a picture of an aspiration of manliness and gentlemanliness that defined my fathers views and have in-turn deeply defined my own. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
CR/QoS, TLD, DN, GE, TSWLM, LTK, TND, TWiNE, TMWTGG, TB
http://www.iconicalternatives.com/author/james-brosnan/
https://www.instagram.com/shawn.michael.bongiorno/
I was walking back from work when I got a text from a friend about it. I was planning to trim down my overdue garden when I got back, but I was that shook up by the news that I didn't do it
1 - Moore, 2 - Dalton, 3 - Craig, 4 - Connery, 5 - Brosnan, 6 - Lazenby
http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/films/808843/Sir-Roger-Moore-dead-James-Bond-films-tributes-Sean-Connery-Pierce-Brosnan-Daniel-Craig
Timothy Dalton's from the official James Bond Twitter account ...
'I knew Roger as a kind and generous man. He was a wonderfully engaging and successful actor. My thoughts are with his family. '
I was at work when the phone rang, my manager answered and handed the phone to me. My girlfriend, knowing how much Roger Moore meant to me called to break the news. The rest of the day I tried to keep my composure.
This is mine too, though John Barry's death shook me up a lot too. I think about their works every day.
I got the news when I checked me phone halfway through my walk to work and saw that I had a number of messages and emails from both friends and readers of my blog. They all said the same thing.
I'm not usually at a loss for words, nor am I given to sentiment, but it is fair to say Sir Roger Moore's passing is a moment when, perhaps, time finally took one of its television and cinematic heroes.
As many on here have and will reveal, Sir Roger Moore meant very much to many people, millions of them in fact, as an actor, person, celebrity, charity ambassador and, for those who would and may read this forum, a family man.
I never met him or attended his stage shows, shame on me. I was never over impressed with his acting either- more shame, perhaps - which was never going to win awards. But I could never fault his enthusiasm, his ability to gauge a line of dialogue on its merit and deliver it with the appropriate mirth or seriousness it required. I've recently been watching repeats of The Persuaders on television. Sometimes he is quite remarkable playing the gentleman adventurer Brett Sinclair. Impersonating a peer of the realm, albeit a slightly raffish one, seemed to come very easily to Sir Roger and it is no surprise that he, more so than any other Bond actor, has done tireless work for UNICEF and other charities where his charm and diseffacement could open doors and minds which may previously have remained closed, exactly as his screen character does. It helped of course that he was and is phenomenally famous, but fame in itself does not make the man.
I first became aware of Roger Moore when I was taken with my brother to the Leicester Square Odeon cinema by my Mum to see Moonraker on an August afternoon in 1979. My only experiences of Bond had been Thunderball & On Her Majesty's Secret Service on Christmas or Easter television. To suddenly be confronted with a wise cracking, young looking, suave, sophisticated easy going hero was a revelation. When I began to read the original novels I, for many years, thought Roger Moore's interpretation of 007 was much more like Ian Fleming may have imagined him. Later learning that Fleming would have preferred Cary Grant or David Niven suggested I wasn't far wrong. I always preferred Connery, but Moore was my first cinema Bond - I never saw Connery on screen as 007 until 1983 - and for that I can be forever thankful.
Interestingly, I remember my first impression of Roger Moore's Bond was that he wasn't so playful. There's an awful lot of violence in Moonraker. Early on he's almost squashed to death by a G-Force machine and at the end of that hell-in-a-chair moment he looks suitable bedraggled. As Moore watches Chang vacate the control booth, you sense in his eyes that the game has just begun. I was always impressed with these small moments of insight which Sir Roger gave to his acting roles. You see them several times in the Bond saga. His performances are underrated; I'm a particular fan of his playing in The Man With The Golden Gun, which is not to everyone's taste, but for me identifies a significant shift between the old and the new style of Bond as 007 is as seriously nasty as he is cheerfully unflappable.
Of course career wise, Sir Roger wasn't just about Bond. I rather enjoyed The Persuaders. The Saint makes me chuckle too. Some of his early film roles are good and stretch his talent - e.g. The Wild Geese, Shout at the Devil, The Man Who Haunted Himself - even in his latter years he could still raise a quizzical eyebrow with the best - think, Boat Trip.
I feel as though I'm rambling and that I could write and write so I probably need to stop. In parting, perhaps I need to leave the final line to the great man himself, forever the gentleman, who titled his autobiography with a aptly given quote: "My word is my Bond."
R.I.P. Sir Roger Moore 1927 - 2017.
Christoph John aka chrisno1
[article also published on CBN]
Excellent write up. Few mainstream critics seem to appreciate or understand exactly how good Roger Moore was. Damn good.
Another one of my all-time favorite scenes. Roger's nuanced performances provide infinite replay value for me as a Bond fan.
I'm getting teary eyed reading all these comments and tributes on here. Roger was my favorite Bond and personal hero. I'm glad I didn't find out the news while at work cuz I doubt I could have held it together.
Rest in Peace Sir Roger.
1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
Thank you, Thunderpussy, you're quite right. I've deleted the posts concerned (and therefore your post, of course).
jorgem1, no more of those kind of posts, please. If you want to discuss this, please use PMs.]
https://www.masonandsons.com/blogs/intelligence/sir-roger-moore-nobody-did-it-better?utm_source=Mason+%26+Sons+Newsletter&utm_campaign=55fdb3b5c7-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_05_27&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b88c5fc62f-55fdb3b5c7-209509837&mc_cid=55fdb3b5c7&mc_eid=a61c2c7517
It was a huge shock to hear of his death. Indeed, I had watched him just 18 months ago, up close, in the stalls of the Theatre Royal, Bath, for 'An Afternoon With Sir Roger Moore' which was both funny and hugely interesting. His wife accompanied him and was sat up in one of the boxes, and I remember thinking at the time that he was in tremendous shape for his age.
Roger Moore was really my first Bond, and I grew up always with a huge soft spot for his portrayal. Many of his films rank among my favourites. But away from the screen, he was a great man too and undoubtedly a national treasure. I once wrote to him aged just 14, sending him a long letter talking about my aspiring to be an actor. He sent me back a signed photo of him in Moonraker, and a short note simply saying 'Good Luck! -- and best wishes'.
I've lost a childhood hero. RIP.
See you next year.
Usually I don't want to meet my heroes or people who play them as I don't want to be disappointed. One of my favorite things is just having his signature on Jeff Marshall's The Spy Who Loved Me lithograph. But I love that story about Roger in the Nice Airport.